This week I’ve been super busy. If you’ve been paying attention over at Medium.com, either as a reader or writer, then you have seen my work pumping out with regularity over the past few weeks.
It’s confession time.
Here’s WHY I’ve been so busy on Medium: I’ve lost a major client. A 25K a year client. And that really stings—both my pride and my bank account.
What to do with all that creative energy and stress while I pitch new clients?
What’s better than pacing the floor or worrying?
Writing. Writing makes me feel better.
So recently, I’ve been producing valuable content like this:
TOP PERFORMER: Better Advice published I Did NOT Get the Job — Here’s What I Learned for me and it’s gotten the attention of hundreds of readers.
Better Marketing published: Writers, We Need to Talk About AI (This is the one that’s STILL got me thinking!)
Misspelled words that drive me nuts. Everyone’s got a list. This one is mine.
Another thing that drives me nuts — those “helpful corrections” people leave publicly. I call out the RUDENESS!
Don’t miss out on this bit of ROMANCE for poetic thoughts during the romantic Valentine’s season. (FYI—I was my own Valentine again this year.)
What’s the BURNOUT EQUATION? Memorize this. Use it. It can help you!
How to write 20K+ words every week. I do it every week—and you can too!
How to Kick Brain Fog’s Arse—Practical weapons against fuzzy thinking, published in In Fitness and in Health. They also published this one for me — Health tips for avoiding Winter Sickness
CBD—How do you pick the right products? I’ve written for CBD companies for over 3 years. I’ve learned a lot and I’ve been sharing a lot about CBD on my Medium profile.
Profound Reading Nuggets!— Things too awesome not to share with you! I love the third one!
To the People Who Keep Ripping Off My Work — Sometimes writers make literal pennies on the dollar for reads of their work. It takes thousands of readers on a piece for the writer to earn much money from it. So when other sites literally COPY and STEAL my pieces…UGH.
Until I replace the income from that lost client I have a few things on hand, in abundance:
Time
Fear and anxiety (money issues are my greatest stressors)
Rambling thoughts
Insomnia
And oddly, weight gain
I had to do something.
So I have been pitching my services to clients, beefing up my portfolio, (How does it look?), and yes, writing on Medium. I consider Medium an extension of my portfolio and a reading window to my life, all rolled into one garbled attempt — to use my writing work as a side gig.
Sometimes we do face financial strain. And it helps to feel like we are doing something rather than spinning in circles and worrying. Medium is that emotional and creative outlet for me that helps me to stay sane when the going gets tough.
If you have always felt like writing would help your soul, or if you simply want to read and support other writers, join with MY link and it helps support my work a tiny bit each month.
On the Homefront
Lastly, I want to encourage you on your journey today and for all your tomorrows. Just like me, you may be going through a difficult time. It’s ok to struggle, as long as you remember your worth and fight for yourself!
I get it. I see your struggles and love that you keep getting up each day to do the dang thing.
Here I sit, repeating my mantra “25K is on its way!” over and over, just hoping the money I need to buy a house this year will somehow fall out of the sky.
Manifest, right?
I’ll be honest. The stress of it is keeping me up at night.
I keep thinking—Maybe just ditch this dream altogether? Maybe the stress will kill my heart? Maybe it’s just too much to worry about how I’ll ever financially make this happen?
Then, I sigh, and think my way through the finances all over again. There must be some way?
Note: A literary agent has my full manuscript right now. Maybe they’ll fall in love with Elephant Song and offer me a book deal?
For now—I’ll repeat the mantras that are keeping me going:
25K is on its way! (This is the amount I’ve calculated I’ll need by June to buy a house before my next lease is due. Oddly, it’s the same amount I just lost when I lost my client! Universe—this isn’t funny!)
I welcome abundance from the universe!
I do not chase—I attract. What is meant for me will simply find me.
Do you have mantras that keep you going?
New Tagline for Fiddleheads & Floss Writing
do. life. better.
My new tagline, I feel, sums up all of my work—I want to help people do life better! I do this by writing things to help others and by living bravely and authentically. I do my best. I hope it inspires other people in some small way.
Thanks, as always, for spending a moment of your inbox time with me. Forgive this newsletter—all over the place, but it reflects what’s going on iin my life and my brain right now.
I promise I am doing ok. Maybe a little less than ok, but that is ok.
Christina M. Ward, author and freelance writer
If Christina’s work puts a little sunshine in your day, here’s where you can support her work:
Click below for her virtual TIP JAR. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
I love all of this! I’m just gathering the balls to start diving into freelancing. I NEED a side gig to help support myself and four children. I waffled around too much last year (but was also working on a book with a publishing contract with another local author). Realistically, freelancing is where I need to invest effort at least until the kids have all graduated.
I have at least 3 other books in the works, and was planning on self-punishing on Amazon vs shopping them around. I’m wondering what you think about self publishing vs the traditional publishing route?
Definitely going to be reading the articles you linked here!